2 Peter 1:16 – More Than Hearsay

Summary

Instead of relying on secondhand accounts or on more recent inventions, the faith of this particular Christian community rests on the teaching of one who walked with Jesus. The Apostle Peter had been there on the Mount of Transfiguration when the glory of Jesus was revealed, and no other witness can compare to that.

Analysis

This almost direct reference to the Transfiguration is one of the strongest assertions possible by the author to the apostolic authority of Peter. On one hand, this extends to the readers the assurance that their faith is grounded in the teaching of an eyewitness; on the other, it eliminates the need of the author to rely solely on his own arguments in disputing with false teachers.

2 Peter 1:16

Eyewitnesses of Christs Glory

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.